The Heights is the western half of old Pulaski Heights, a streetcar town that joined Little Rock in 1916. Kavanaugh Boulevard runs through it with shops and restaurants, and the side streets hold early 1900s homes on hilly, wooded lots.
The feel
The Heights grew from the same streetcar suburb as Hillcrest. Developers led by H. F. Auten won a streetcar extension into Pulaski Heights, and service began in 1903. The town incorporated on August 1, 1905, and residents voted to join Little Rock on January 4, 1916. Over time the area split into two names: Hillcrest to the east and the Heights to the west. Today the Heights centers on a walkable stretch of Kavanaugh Boulevard with local shops, restaurants and coffee.
The homes
Homes range from early 1900s houses to midcentury designs and newer infill. Lots follow the terrain, so many streets climb and curve, and some houses sit well above or below the road. Mature trees are common. Older homes may have original wood windows, plaster walls and updated systems of varying age, so a careful inspection matters.
Schools
The Heights is in the Little Rock School District. Several private schools operate nearby as well. In August 2026 the district adopted new high school zones ahead of Little Rock West High School's planned 2027 opening, and some nearby areas changed zones. Assignments vary by address and can change, so verify a specific home's schools directly with the district before you buy.
Getting around
Kavanaugh Boulevard follows the old streetcar route along the ridge and connects the Heights to Hillcrest. Cantrell Road (Highway 10), once called Lincoln Avenue, runs along the north side and leads east toward downtown and west toward I-430. University Avenue and I-630 are a short drive south. Most errands along Kavanaugh are walkable from nearby streets; longer trips are by car.
Life here
Kavanaugh Boulevard is the draw, with boutiques, restaurants and music venues in a few walkable blocks. The Country Club of Little Rock, built in 1902, is part of the neighborhood. St. John's Seminary and the St. John Catholic Center, home of the Diocese of Little Rock, are nearby. Allsopp Park, a wooded ravine park dedicated in 1931, is just east toward Hillcrest, and the Arkansas River Trail is a short drive down the hill.
Owning here
Pulaski County property tax follows Arkansas law: real property is assessed at 20 percent of market value, and the local millage rate applies to that figure. Owner-occupants who file a homestead claim can get a state credit, up to $600 on 2026 bills. Amendment 79 freezes the assessed value of a homestead owned by someone 65 or older or disabled. Most Heights streets do not have a mandatory homeowners association, though voluntary neighborhood groups are active. Steep lots can mean drainage, retaining wall and foundation questions, so look closely at grading. Homes built before 1978 require a federal lead-based paint disclosure.
